Paul J. Zak is Professor of Economics
and Department Chair, as well as the founding Director of the Center for
Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.
He is author of: The Moral Molecule: The
source of love and prosperity which
explores the relationship between
Oxytocin, empathy, compassion, trust, etc.

"The Moral Molecule is a first-hand account of the discovery of a
molecule that makes us moral. It reveals that compassion [and
empathy] is part of our
human nature, why loneliness can kill you, and why your neighbor may be
a psychopath."

(Video
Transcriptions: If you would like to take empathic action
and create a transcription of this video, check
the volunteers page. The transcriptions will make it easier
for other viewers to quickly see the content of this video.)

"As social creatures, we need some sort of signaling molecule that says,
'You're safe to be around, I can interact with you,'" he said. "Oxytocin
motivates social interactions by reducing stress levels, and it actually
improves our immune system, so we get these very subtle signals that you
are part of my tribe or my family, so I can affiliate with you.""

"The emotionally
charged story recounted at the beginning Dr. Paul Zak’s film—of a
terminally ill two-year-old named Ben and his father—offers a simple yet
remarkable case study in how the human brain responds to effective
storytelling. As part of his study, Dr. Zak, a founding pioneer in the
emerging field of neuroeconomics, closely monitored the neural activity
of hundreds of people who viewed Ben’s story.

What he discovered is that even the simplest narrative, if it is highly
engaging and follows the classic dramatic arc outlined by the German
playwright Gustav Freytag, can evoke powerful empathic responses
associated with specific neurochemicals, namely cortisol and oxytocin.
Those brain responses, in turn, can translate readily into concrete
action—in the case of Dr. Zak’s study subjects, generous donations to
charity and even monetary gifts to fellow participants."

"This week, I’m headed to the Future of Storytelling summit,
an unusual cross-disciplinary unconference exploring exactly what it
says on the tin. Among the presenters is neuroeconomics pioneer Paul
Zak, director of the Center for Neuroeconomic Studies and author of The
Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity. In this short film on
empathy, neurochemistry, and the dramatic arc, directed and edited by my
friend Kirby Ferguson and animated by Henrique Barone, Zak takes us
inside his lab, where he studies how people respond to stories."

Mr. Zak gives a lot more hugs than most economists. That is because he
has made a specialty of studying the social role of oxytocin, a
neurochemical once associated with sex that he says is also critical to
trust, empathy and family-like bonds. Oxytocin both fosters and feeds on
those behaviors, and can also be created by surmountable challenges,
dancing, singing, meditation or marching in a group.

"In his latest book The Moral Molecule, neuroeconomist Paul Zak
describes oxytocin’s role in trust, bonding and even virtuous behaviour.
New Scientist caught up with him about avoiding the term “the cuddle
chemical” and trying not to make a bride faint on her wedding day..

"What drives our desire to behave morally? Neuroeconomist Paul Zak shows
why he believes oxytocin (he calls it "the moral molecule") is
responsible for trust, empathy and other feelings that help build a
stable society. A pioneer in the field of neuroeconomics, Paul Zak is
uncovering how the hormone oxytocin promotes trust, and proving that
love is good for business."

7:00 "The change in Oxytocin
predicted their feelings of empathy. So
it's empathy that makes us connect to other people.

It's empathy that makes us help other people. It's empathy that makes us
moral. This idea is not new." (Adam Smith talked about this as well).

2012-05-00 -The biochemistry of love and empathy
"In his latest book The Moral Molecule, neuroeconomist Paul Zak
describes oxytocin’s role in trust, bonding and even virtuous behaviour.
New Scientist caught up with him about avoiding the term “the cuddle
chemical” and trying not to make a bride faint on her wedding day."

Oxytocin - Empathy, Are you Good or Evil 2
'What makes us good or evil? It's a simple but deeply
unsettling question. One that scientists are now starting to answer.
Horizon meets the researchers who have studied some of the most
terrifying people behind bars - psychopathic killers. But there was a
shock in store for one of these scientists, Professor Jim Fallon, when
he discovered that he had the profile of a psychopath. And the reason he
didn't turn out to be a killer holds important lessons for all of us.'